Assembly could overturn Northern Ireland parking fines rise

The assembly will get the chance next week to throw out proposed new parking fines in Northern Ireland towns.

The regional development minister failed to persuade his committee not to bring forward a 'prayer of annulment' which could see the plan overturned.

The plan proposes to increase parking fines from £60 to £90.

The minister, Danny Kennedy, said that among new measures to be brought in woud be electronic payment for parking.

"This service means drivers don't have to predict how long they need to park and pay up front - they can start and stop their parking when they need to and only pay for the time used," he said.

Mr Kennedy said increasing parking fines would go towards the self-funding of car parking services which currently runs at a deficit of £7m per year.

"Reducing this deficit will free up other parts of my budget for maintaining front-line services such as fixing potholes and maintaining street lights," he added.

However, committee members voted by seven votes to four to continue with the plan to bring the prayer of annulment before the assembly next Tuesday.

If MLAs vote against the minister next week, the plan to increase the parking fines will be dead.